The most recommended wizard books

I loved the main storyline overall. Even though it was simple, the interactions and bonds that the characters shared, like what Alexander had with his companion Cyril example, helped make the story more fun to read. The characters worked together to solve problems like getting past enemies and help others out along the way as well. 

There were a few twists in the story that I did not expect and surprised me in a good way! Additionally, I found that the ending was also satisfying. Even though this book is marketed as the first in a trilogy, it reads as a standalone adventure overall.

Also, even though this book is based on the King’s Quest video game franchise (with this book taking place between the events of King’s Quest IV and King’s Quest VI), it’s accessible enough for newcomers to the franchise to read!

Sorcery and Cecelia is a kissing-only fantasy romance I’ve read many times over—it’s one of my comfort reads.

This hilarious fantasy of manners has the setting and tropes of a Georgette Heyer novel, except for the existence of magic and magicians. Wrede and Stevermer wrote the book by playing “The Letters Game,” exchanging letters that each wrote from the viewpoint of a different character. Cousins Kate and Cecily stumble upon a plot threatening their neighbor, the Mysterious Marquis.

As they unite their magical and intellectual talents to prevent a horrible misuse of magic, they uncover new talents, form new alliances, and fall in love. Sometimes considered a YA novel, the book definitely has crossover appeal.

And speaking of funny, they don’t get much better than Pratchett’s Discworld novels. Though they’re usually classified as fantasy, they’re really very pointed satire. He sends up everything from movies to opera to the postal system. Soul Music takes on popular music, and it’s one of his best. 

I confess, I was a bit nervous when I began this book because the main character was not very sympathetic. But Hette’s situation is so heart-wrenching (literally, because a sorcerer has stolen her heart) I kept reading to see what happened. Her journey to recover her heart is much more than a physical adventure, though I could taste the grit and mud, shivered with cold, and sweated from the unbearable heat she struggled through. It was a joy watching this young queen learn important life lessons in totally unexpected places. I felt as if I was learning and growing along with Hette, making the reading of this book a completely satisfying experience.

I really love Sunny and the Seven Streams of Income book.

Growing up I was not aware of multiple streams of income and I think as parents it's our job to ensure that the next generation is better off than we were. This book plants seeds of things that kids enjoy and can be turned into a way to make money and I love that!

Dorohedoro is an odd fish. It’s a manga about two parallel worlds.

One is full of sorcerers, where magic is biological. It can be supplemented with drugs or by making a pact with one of the devils who rule that world. The other world is much more like ours, except the sorcerers visit so often to practice on the people there (with horrible but funny results), that even the rain has a magical residue that can corrupt a human body.

Into this already strange scenario, Hayashida throws an amnesiac, lizard-headed man trying to discover his true identity and his best friend, a genius martial artist and dumpling chef. Brilliant, bizarre, and funny.  

I boarded a plane in Los Angeles the day after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows released.

Before we were airborne, I opened the pages to the epic conclusion of the HP series. When I glanced to my left and right, I realized the passengers in my row were all doing the same.

What struck me in that moment was how Harry Potter transcended from a series for young adults to one for YA fans of all ages—a remarkable feat by one of the greatest YA storytellers in history.

If you haven’t read the books but have seen the films, I would highly recommend diving into the HP series as you will not be disappointed.

So many themes are woven throughout Deathly Hallows rooted in the value of love and friendship from all ages.

This book was an emotional rollercoaster ride filled with everything I love about epic fantasy, but without the stereotypical cookie-cutter women. Set in an alternate ancient middle east, where sultans rule and magic is elemental, Naime is the only child of the declining sultan. She’s smart, self-controlled, a powerful air mage, and dedicated to the prosperity of her kingdom. Unfortunately, the king’s council is mired in tradition and opposed to a woman on the throne. With the threat of invasion from a technologically superior anti-magic nation, Naime must navigate the web of political intrigue to broker an alliance with the neighboring warrior realm. Enter Makram, brother to their king and one of the powerful (and feared) death mages. As obstacles are thrown in Naime’s way, success is not guaranteed. There were moments I had to pause to breathe, the tension was so high. I loved every minute.

Stub-the-Nuisance is an orphan apprentice at a rough tavern with only a chicken named Peck for a friend. But when a spell-shrunk wizard appears in her pocket, she finds herself bound in an adventure to save a young queen. After years of abuse and bullying, she discovers her own strength and the joys of true friendship. This book is an absolute delight filled with detailed worldbuilding, quirky humor, and characters that will tug your heart. The focus on found family lends a deep layer of poignant authenticity to the story and makes this a book worth reading over and over again.

Ben’s storytelling gets better and better. This is the ninth in the Rivers of London series continues the adventures of Peter Grant as the magical policeman of London.

As a Londoner myself, I know many of the places described and got the twitchy feeling between the shoulder blades that some of these places just could be fey. Brilliant entertaining story, but you probably need to read some of the earlier ones in the series to understand everything.